The Aqua Photon line is a rarely discussed aquarium lighting line. These German made aluminum fixtures come in Metal Halide (Classic), T5 (Linea), and T5+MH (Plus) technology in a myriad of combinations. I’ll admit the look of them is a bit “corporate” and bulbous, but they feature simple and clean lines with quality components. They are also [...]
The Aqua Photon line is a rarely discussed aquarium lighting line. These German made aluminum fixtures come in Metal Halide (Classic), T5 (Linea), and T5+MH (Plus) technology in a myriad of combinations. I’ll admit the look of them is a bit “corporate” and bulbous, but they feature simple and clean lines with quality components. They are also rather pricey, but since when did that stop addicts aquarists from snatching up unique German reef equipment?
Those with taller tanks (>30″) may take notice of the Photon Classic and Photon Plus that come in 400w configurations for double ended (DE) and single ended (SE) bulbs. The same Photon classic and Photon Plus designs can be purchase in 150w DE and 250w SE & DE, in 24″, 36″, 48″ or 72″ lengths. (The largest Photon Plus pendant packs 4x400w Metal Halide with 12x39w T5s in a 72″ hood!)
Very few metal halide pendants offer a single ended (E40 base) 400w pendant. This gives the Photon line an edge, especially for those who prefer the ever popular 400w Radium 20K lamp. Pair this with T5s and it’s a potent fixture.
If you’d like to ease up on the electric consumption and forgo metal halides, Aquaperfekt offers the Linea T5 line of pendants. These come with up 8 bulbs to accommodate tanks with immense depth, however, the current literature (albeit dated) gives no indication of active cooling.
In the past the Photon series of lights were a bit of a myth in the U.S. They were rarely advertised and even more rarely available. Now the Photon Classic, Linea, and Plus line of pendants can by purchased in the U.S. hassle free thanks to Proline Aquatics and retailers such as GBD Sponsors Premium Aquatics, Salty Supply.
Spread analysis via Korallenriff.
